Dolphins Draft Offensive Lineman From Univ. Of Tennessee
DAVIE (CBSMiami) - For the second straight season, the Miami Dolphins drafted an offensive lineman from the University of Tennessee.
In 2014, Ja'Waun James gets the honor of being the team's first round pick. James, who started all forty nine games during his four years with the Volunteers, was introduced to the media Friday afternoon inside the team's complex in Davie and was quick to express his pleasure at wearing the aqua and orange.
"During the process, I had in my mind that I was going to go to the place I'm supposed to be", James said to reporters. "This feels right and I'm glad to be here and I'm supposed to be here".
The 21-year-old was one of the top offensive line recruits in the nation, playing high school football in the Atlanta metro area. He went on to a stellar career in college, culminating in second team All-SEC honors as a senior and an invite to the annual Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL. It was his stability and consistency that made him the player Miami wanted to pick.
"We were looking for tough, smart, productive players and guys who had produced at a high level for a long time", General Manager Dennis Hickey said prior to introducing James. "As we scouted Ja'Waun through the process, he certainly fit (the criteria we were looking for)."
James will get a chance to compete for a starting spot on the offensive line from the first practice. The position was the one most in need for Miami, in part due to the fallout from the bullying scandal that rocked the team. It resulted in the team not resigning Richie Incognito and John Jerry, and trading Jonathan Martin to San Francisco. James said none of that mattered to him, and he just wants to play.
"This whole process was a blessing, my life dream come true. I appreciate the Dolphins inviting me to the organization and I'm ready to get to work."
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